PLOT -- my thoughts so far -- Part II: Satisfying Readers' Needs + Character, Motivation, and Conflict!

[part I of PLOT -- my thoughts so far: What is Plot? HERE]

I argued last time that your readers' basic needs (akin to food, shelter, and love) are: connection, enjoyment, and satisfaction. So what does this have to do with plot? Well, while you craft your plot, you are trying to meet those needs.

First, let's take connection. For connection, you need, foremost, a character or characters to care about, and better yet: a character who your reader wants to be. I think that the most beloved books a...